“A student director is unusual for us,” said HSU Music professor Paul Cummings, “but we want to give Sky that experience, since this is what he’s preparing to do after graduation.”
Miller will lead the jazz band in Boogie Express, a tune by Sonny Nestico (arranger for the Count Basie Band) in an early 20th century shuffle style. Manteca is a Latin tune by Dizzy Gillespie, and Black Butterfly is a ballad by Duke Ellington, arranged by Benny Carter.
Paul Cummings directs the band in the other three tunes: Straight, No Chaser by Thelonious Monk, Ran Kan Kan by Tito Puente and The Mooch by Duke Ellington. The Mooch is another early 20th century tune, which features two trumpets using plunger mutes. “These emulate the sound of the human voice better than other mutes,” Cummings said, “so the effect is a conversation between the two players.”
The AM JAZZ BAND plays on Thursday May 7 at 8 p.m. in the Fulkerson Recital Hall on the HSU campus in Arcata. Tickets are $7 general, $3 students/seniors, from the HSU Ticket Office (826-3928) or at the door. Free to HSU students with ID. http://HSUMusic.blogspot.com.ˇ